How to Spend 24 Hours in Kandy

As Sri Lanka's most popular heritage hotspot, Kandy is the ideal day trip destination for those based in Colombo or elsewhere on the island. Surrounded by lush mountains, this vaulted kingdom, which was the last seat of power in the Sri Lankan monarchy, is home to some of the country's most iconic attractions. From exploring the main highlights to enjoying local treats, here are some tips on spending an unforgettable day in the hill capital, Kandy.

Morning at the Temple of The Tooth

Ranked among the top places to visit in Kandy by online resources the likes of Kandy Escapes and others, visitors who are in the hills for just a day must make haste and head to this iconic venue first thing in the morning. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Temple of the Tooth is no ordinary religious institution in Sri Lanka and is perhaps the most sacred point of interest in the country as it contains the dental remains of Lord Buddha. Housed within a former palace, the crowds descending on these popular pilgrimage hub only increases as the day goes on so tourists should make the most of the morning hours when it is possible to witness the morning prayers and other rituals without jostling among countless other visitors.

Walk around Kandy Lake and Enjoy a Boating Excursion

After a tour of the Temple of the Tooth and its adjoining museum, visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the Kandy Lake, which is a stone's throw away from the temple. As a manmade body of water in the heart of the city, the lake is connected with many historical events including the drowning of a local hero named Madduma Bandara. Travellers can not only feed the ducks that occupy the fringes of the lake but also sign up for a boat ride around the periphery as there are many tour operators offering rides in the area.

Head to the Udawatta Kele Sanctuary

Before lunch, travellers can work up an appetite with a hiking trip to the Udawatta Kelle Sanctuary. Occupying a great height with panoramic views across the city of Kandy, this lush parkland was once a royal playground complete with birds, plants and other plant life.

Tour The Royal Botanical Gardens

Pack a picnic lunch or grab a meal at the Kandy City Centre food court before heading over to the Royal Botanical Gardens or the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens before sundown. Home to an impressive 40,000 floral species, the venue welcomes a whopping 2 million visitors each year. Some of the main points of interest inside the garden include its orchid enclave while the medicinal plants and the National Herbarium of Sri Lanka are also worth exploring. Day-trippers can catch their breath and relax at this leafy corner of the city where lovers and families also like to spend time surrounded by the bounty of nature.

High Tea in Kandy

Although it is a leftover from the colonial past of Kandy, enjoying high tea is a rite of passage for first-time visitors as it is quite the affair in local hotels and bakeries. Serving piping hot Ceylon tea with a plethora of sweet and savoury treats, high tea is a daily ritual for expats and other tea connoisseurs based in Kandy.

Bar Hop the Night Away

After-dark activities in Kandy, one must include bar hopping to some of its best drinking holes including the creatively named Main Street bar, The Pub. Other locations to spend your last hours in Kandy include Le Garage and the Tavern 29 Rooftop Bar.